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| Volume 6 Issue 3 | Spring 1999 |
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The steady rhythms of classroom life settled in long ago, and now we begin to close out the year. Our students know each other and have mastered the many routines they must follow--when to arrive, where to sit, where to find the supplies they need, and which books are to be taken home or left in class. While there is a comfort in this rhythm, many of us are ready to try something different, something that will help us and our students gain a new appreciation for our learning community.
Rabbi Susan Friedman of Temple Beth Shalom in San Juan, Puerto Rico recently shared a wonderful classroom activity that just might hit the spot. It was developed over forty years ago by Sister Helen P. Mrosla.
One Friday afternoon, Sister Helen, a junior high school math teacher, sensed that her students were becoming cranky and frustrated, only minutes away from going out of control. She asked her students to close their books, take out some paper, and list the name of every student in the class, leaving one or two lines between each name. She then told them to write the nicest thing they could say about each person next to his or her name.
When the students were through, Sister Helen collected the papers. That night, she wrote the name of each student on a separate piece of paper and then copied what the others had said about that person.
On Monday, Sister Helen handed each student his or her list. It wasn't long before their faces lit up with delight. Surprised whispers were heard. "Really!" "Wow!" "I didn't know the other kids liked me so much." Although the students never mentioned the exercise again, Sister Helen was pleased; it had accomplished her goal--the students felt good about one another and about themselves.
Years passed. The students grew up, reaching maturity during the war in Vietnam. Sadly, one of Sister Helen's dearest students, Mark, died in the war. She spoke at his funeral and was embraced by his parents who told her they wanted to show her something that was found in Mark's pocket when he was killed. They handed her a worn, taped piece of paper that had obviously been folded and refolded many times. It was the list of all the good things Mark's classmates had said about him.
Several former classmates of Mark's stood at Sister Helen's side. Vicki pulled out her wallet and showed Sister Helen her own, very worn, list, and admitted that she always kept it with her. Charlie smiled and said that he still had his in the top drawer of his desk at home. And the wife of another student said her husband's list was kept inside their wedding album. When a fourth student said that she kept hers inside her diary, everyone realized that all the students had kept and treasured their lists.
So often--as friends, parents, neighbors, and especially as teachers--our smallest actions have enormous impact on others. Sister Helen's exercise can create such impact. It can nurture our students' self-esteem and give them insight into the power of a kind word and the goodness of community.
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